Hay fever, also
called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like symptoms. These may include a runny
nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold,
hay fever isn't caused by a virus. Hay fever is caused by an allergic response
to a harmless outdoor or indoor substance the body identifies as harmful
(allergen).
Homoeopathy treats
allergic rhinitis on symptom similarity, or by treating the cause[like dander,
dust, etc]. also it treats the altered immune responses in a mild and simple
way and cures the condition
SYMPTOMS
Runny
nose and nasal stuffiness, called congestion.
Watery,
itchy, red eyes.
Sneezing.
Cough.
Itchy
nose, roof of mouth or throat.
Mucus
that runs down the back of the throat, called postnasal drip.
Swollen,
bruised-appearing skin under the eyes, known as allergic shiners.
Extreme
tiredness and fatigue, often due to poor sleep.
HAY FEVER TRIGGERS
Your hay fever
symptoms may occur year-round or may start or worsen at a particular time of
year. These are known as seasonal allergies.
Tree
pollen, which is common in early spring.
Grass
pollen, which is common in late spring and summer.
Ragweed
pollen, which is common in fall.
Dust mites
and cockroach droppings, which are present year-round.
Dander
from pets, which can be bothersome year-round but might cause worse symptoms in
winter, when houses are closed up.
Spores
from indoor and outdoor fungi and molds, which can be both seasonal and
year-round.
CAUSES
When someone has
hay fever, the immune system identifies a harmless airborne substance as being
harmful. This substance is called an allergen. The body produces immunoglobulin
E (IgE) antibodies to protect against allergens. When the body comes in contact
with an allergen, these antibodies signal the immune system to release
chemicals such as histamine into the bloodstream. This causes a reaction that
leads to the symptoms of hay fever.
RISK FACTORS
Having other allergies or asthma.
Having a condition called atopic dermatitis or
eczema, which makes skin irritated and itchy.
Having a blood relative, such as a parent or
sibling, with allergies or asthma.
Living or working in an environment that constantly
exposes someone to allergens , such as animal dander or dust mites.
Being exposed to smoke and strong odours that
irritate the lining of the nose.
Having a mother who smoked during the first year of
life.
COMPLICATIONS
Reduced quality of life. Hay fever can
interfere with enjoyment of activities and cause you to be less productive. For
many people, hay fever symptoms lead to missing work or school.
Poor sleep. Hay fever
symptoms can keep you awake or make it hard to stay asleep. This can lead to
fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell, called malaise.
Worsening asthma. Hay fever can
worsen symptoms of asthma, such as coughing and wheezing.
Sinusitis. Prolonged
sinus congestion due to hay fever may increase your risk of getting sinusitis —
an infection or inflammation of the membrane that lines the sinuses.
Ear infection. In children,
hay fever often is a factor in middle ear infection, called otitis media.
PREVENTION
There's no way to
avoid getting hay fever. If you have hay fever, the best thing to do is to
lessen your exposure to the allergens that cause your symptoms. Take the right
medications as directed
DIAGNOSIS
To diagnose hay
fever, a healthcare professional typically does a physical exam and talks about
general health, symptoms and possible triggers. One or both of these tests may
be recommended:
Skin prick test. Small amounts
of material that can trigger allergies are pricked into patches of skin on the
arm or upper back. A medical professional then watches the skin for an allergic
reaction. If someone has an allergy, a raised bump called a hive forms at the
site of that allergen. This typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Allergy
specialists usually are best equipped to perform allergy skin tests.
Allergy blood test. A blood
sample is sent to a lab to measure the immune system's response to a specific
allergen. This test measures the amount of allergy-causing antibodies in the
bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.
HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES
Allium cepa
Arsenicum album
Astacus fluvitalis
Abroma augusta
